What does the future hold for Meath's bus commuters?

The ongoing turmoil in Bus Eireann has highlighted the vulnerable position of thousands of commuters in Meath who rely on bus services to go to work in the city each day. 

This week Transport Minister Shane Ross warned that the company could be insolvent within two years unless difficult decisions are made.

Bus Éireann incurred a €5.6 million loss in 2015 and is forecasting a similar deficit for 2016, mainly due to losses on commercial Expressway services and CEO Martin Nolan said the company must advance its cost reduction plan.

Meanwhile, unions representing workers are seeking a pay claim which Bus Eireann and Minister Ross say they can't afford. While initially it was reported that unions were seeking a 21 per cent increase, it is now believed they are calling for similar pay increases to those given to Dublin Bus employees, which amounts to 11.25 per cent over three years.

 

There are no plans to strike by Bus Eireann workers at present.

 

However, as Meath's commuters are totally reliant on bus services to get to work in the city if they wish to use public transport, it highlights the vulnerable position local commuters are in, should the row escalate. Despite Navan being one of the largest commuter towns, it still has no rail line linking the town to the city centre.

Attempts to get the Navan Rail Line back on the agenda were made in the Dail this week by local TDs Shane Cassells and Peadar Tóibín and Tranport Minister Shane Ross is expected to come to Navan to discuss the project.

We want to hear your commuting stories? Are you one of the thousands of bus users (109 or 111) who commute to Dublin each day? What do you make of the service and what are your fears or concerns for the future. Or do you use a private operator? Email us at noelle.finegan@meathchronicle.ie, or FB message us. You can even leave a number and we'll call you straight back.